Ghost Walks
Hamilton Custom House is one of the most haunted buildings around. Definitely on all the Top Lists for the very haunted City of Hamilton.
So many experiences happened to us and our guides over the 20 or so years of doing events and tours inside the building.
by Jane Sandwood
The city of Dearborn Michigan, is best known as the birthplace of Henry Ford. But long before his father established a farm on what is now the intersection of Ford Road and Greenfield Road. The area had been occupied for generations of First Nations tribes, especially the Potawatomi.
Dearborn Michigan Township was incorporated in 1833, named after Henry Dearborn, who was Secretary of War under President Jefferson.
With so much history attached to the area, it should come as no surprise that Dearborn is the center of several hauntings, one of which is directly associated with the motor industry that put Dearborn on the map.
In the 1960s, Henry Ford’s motoring legacy was at the height of its power. Cars from that era are design icons. Driven or shipped to classic shows or between museums across the world.
Dearborn has its own car museum, of course, but one exhibit stands out from the rest.
November 22 1963 is a day that changed history. We have all seen the footage of President Kennedy’s tragic final journey in Dallas.
What fewer people know. The 1961 Lincoln 74A Convertible in which he was assassinated remained in Presidential service for another four years.
Even after it was replaced, it was used for other duties. Until 1978, when it was retired and put on display at the Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan.
That’s when the ghostly sightings began. Nobody is sure of the identity of the man in gray seen standing beside the car. Seen when the museum is due to close, but he is most commonly sighted on or around November 22.
At Crestwood High School, in Dearborn Heights, multiple witnesses have reported sightings of ghosts walking the halls at night. Sounds coming from classrooms that are empty and items being moved.
Students have also reported hearing voices behind them while walking around in broad daylight. Only to find they are quite alone.
The origins of the hauntings are unknown, as there are no known tragedies associated with the school.
Located in Levagood Park to the west of Dearborn, Dunworth Pool is a popular place for a children during summer days.
At night, the park is locked, but overnight maintenance staff often hear children running around and calling for Jack.
Police have even been called on several occasions, but while nobody has ever been seen, the noises continue.
If you stay the night in Dearborn, there is not one but two haunted hotels you could investigate.
The Dearborn Inn is one of the top places to stay in the city, and has plenty of history attached to it. The once grandiose hotel fell into disrepair in the late 20th century, but the Marriot Group took over its management in the 1980s and invested heavily in its renovation.
Tragedy struck while the work was ongoing, when a man fell from the roof to his death, and he is said to haunt the area.
Meanwhile, if you book into the Henry Hotel in the city center, request Suite 418 if you dare.
Residents staying in this room claim to have seen doors open and close, and lights flicker on and off by themselves.
~ Jane Sandwood
The building now used by the Thirsty Cactus Restaurant in Dundas, Ontario, Canada was built in 1834. Almost 200 years ago, this served as the first business for a man named James Coleman. Who, only temporarily, lived as it’s richest man!
On Christmas Night in 1934, Engineer Norman Devine served as a train’s Brakeman. Assigned and traveling on the “CNR Holiday Special”. On this night, they pulled the out of the Dundas Station. 365 passengers heading to Toronto for the holidays.
Naval Park – Buffalo, New York, USA
Named for five brothers who lost their lives in the Battle of the Solomon Islands in 1942 when their ship sunk. Overall, the Allies lost about 7,100 men in this campaign before retaking the Islands.
The Destroyer is an excellent example of the largest and most important class of ship used during World War II.
Named after the Sullivan Brothers. Five military brothers who refused to split during the war. They were all killed at the same time during in the same battle. George survived the longest in the waters before drowning.
Due to the boat’s namesakes… many believe George is the resident ghost. Racked with guilt for not being able to save his brothers. Now trapped in the shop which bears their name.
The Rose Manor Bed & Breakfast – Welland, Ontario, Canada
The Rose Manor is a traditional Bed & Breakfast in Welland, Ontario. Currently owned and operated by my sister Kristen, and myself (Kathryn) Groom.
Part of running a bed & breakfast means we live on-site, which means we get to experience the property’s ghosts firsthand. Our main ghost being Birdie.
The daughter of Hugh Alexander Rose, a prominent local Merchant in Welland. Sister to Colonel Hugh Alexander Rose II, original owner of the Rose Manor house and veteran of WWI.
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse – Toronto Island, Ontario, Canada
Standing watch over Toronto Harbour is Gibraltar Lighthouse. Oldest remaining on all the Great Lakes, and the second oldest in Canada next to Sambro Island by Halifax.
But standing history isn’t always interesting.
What gets noticed is a horrific legend around a former light-keeper named John Paul Radelmüller. A man just trying to be kind. But kindness led to death.
Was it an accident? Or did drunken rage lead to murder?
Laura Secord Homestead Address – 29 Queenston Street, Queenston Heights, Ontario, Canada – MAP
This was the humble home of a famous Canadian heroine. Her name is skewered in history because today, when we hear Laura Secord, we think only of chocolate.
But how many know the real history? Forced into the violence because of the town she lived in. Leading to a major act of bravery, and one of the reasons why we’re still Canada today.
Emma’s Back Porch & the Water Street Cooker were once popular restaurants in the old house at 2084 Old Lakeshore in Burlington.
And a haunted hotspot reaching legendary status. Catching the eye of the most known Canadian Ghost Show in history… Creepy Canada.
Today, the house Emma Byrens made famous now stands empty and alone on the Burlington Waterfront, waiting out its fate.
Are ghosts real? What are ghosts? Questions paranormal folks asked for years. Can it be answered? Yes! Can it be proven? Not a snowball’s chance!
I’ve been in the paranormal business for over 20 years. Starting with interest in history. Soon realizing, if you love history then ghost stories are not far away.